Thermistor-Based Thermal Conductivity Measurement System

Abstract

This report describes a patented method for using commercially available thermistors to make in-situ thermal conductivity measurements with commonly available thermistors to make in-situ thermal conductivity measurements with commonly available electronic equipment such as digital voltmeters. The emphasis is on the use of a single thermistor to measure the thermal conductivity of soils. Calibration techniques are explained and examples provided. Limits on this technique are discussed, including measurement range, material grain size, the amount of material needed for a valid measurement, and temperature stability. Specific examples of the use of this technique are provided for thermal conductivity measurements of soils, building materials, and the sludges in a sewage treatment plant. Data analysis is provided, including a statistical approach to finding the thermal conductivity in large volumes of material. (R.H.)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA226278

Entities

People

  • Edmund A. Wright
  • Ronald T. Atkins

Organizations

  • Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Calibration
  • Cold Regions
  • Data Analysis
  • Electronic Equipment
  • Engineering
  • Grain Size
  • Heat Transfer
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Moisture Content
  • Resistance
  • Semiconductors
  • Standards
  • Thermal Conductivity
  • Thermistors
  • Thermophysical Properties

Readers

  • Environmental Engineering.
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems